Recreation Worker Salary in Worcester, MA
Recreation Workers in the Worcester, MA metro area earn a median $37,950 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,995 take-home, or $2,583 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Worcester, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,374
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,353
- Medicare (1.45%)$550
- Massachusetts income tax$1,678
- Take-home pay$30,995
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.00% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Worcester, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,510 | $16.11 | $27,650 | $2,304 |
| 25th percentile | $35,260 | $16.95 | $28,968 | $2,414 |
| Median (50th) | $37,950 | $18.25 | $30,995 | $2,583 |
| 75th percentile | $43,370 | $20.85 | $35,079 | $2,923 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,670 | $23.40 | $39,073 | $3,256 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,950 buys in Worcester, MA
Prices in Worcester, MA are 2.5% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.13× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $30,995 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,233 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Worcester, MA has 1.4× the national concentration of recreation worker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Worcester, MA ranks #45 of 119 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | College Station, TX | $47,870 | $40,644 | $44,687 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $57,580 | $46,193 | $41,832 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $45,990 | $39,133 | $35,213 |
| 4 | Duluth, MN | $36,080 | $30,059 | $33,862 |
| 5 | Spokane, WA | $39,260 | $33,725 | $33,609 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $38,230 | $32,898 | $33,547 |
| 7 | Nashville, TN | $37,460 | $32,279 | $33,506 |
| 8 | Des Moines, IA | $36,150 | $30,505 | $33,265 |
| 45 | Worcester, MA | $37,950 | $30,995 | $30,233 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 119 metros →
Recreation Worker salaries elsewhere in Massachusetts
- Springfield, MA — $37,500
- Boston, MA — $38,770
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Worcester, MA?
The median recreation worker salary in the Worcester, MA metro area is $37,950 a year, or about $18.25 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,260 and $43,370.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Worcester, MA?
On the median $37,950 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $30,995 a year ($2,583 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,678 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Worcester, MA a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 2.5% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,233 would in a typical U.S. city. Worcester, MA ranks #45 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Worcester, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Worcester, MA is $1,558 a month ($1,997 for two bedrooms) — 60% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Worcester, MA
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $59,800
- Residential Advisor — $47,010
- Childcare Worker — $39,300
- Animal Caretaker — $37,590
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $36,430
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $33,680